Microsoft Visual J

1
Microsoft Visual J .NETTony GoodhewProduct
ManagerVisual J .NETMicrosoft Corporation
2
Product Goals

• Provide a Java language for the Microsoft .NET
• Bring the power and richness of the .NET
  Frameworks to programmers using Java
• Carry forward existing skill and code investments
• Seamless upgrade path for Visual J developers
• Full integration with Visual Studio .NET

3
.NET Framework
4
Visual J .NET
5
Technology Overview

• Java language
• Microsoft Visual J .NET compiler
• Support for .NET CLS
• Properties, events, and delegates
• Class libraries
• Subset of JDK 1.1.4 class libraries
• Base libraries, collection classes
• AWT, JDBC, Beans
• Visual J support Java/COM, J/Direct, WFC

6
Technology Overview (2)

• Binary converter
• Class files to .NET assemblies
• Full access to the .NET Framework
• ASP.NET, ADO.NET, Windows Forms, and so forth
• Integrated with Visual Studio .NET
• IntelliSense, designers, debugger
• Usability improvements

7
Visual J .NET Compiler

• Compiles Java-language sources to Microsoft
  intermediate language (MSIL)
• Supports all key features of the Java language
• Fully supports consuming .NET Framework
• Preserves Java language, scoping, and class
  hierarchy semantics
• Supports extensions in Visual J
• J/Direct
• Attributes

8
CompilerLanguage Support

• Classes
• Inner classes, nested classes, anonymous classes,
  local classes
• Throws clause and checked exceptions
• Static initializer blocks, synchronized blocks
• .NET CLS compliance
• Full CLS consumer
• Limited CLS extender

9
Compiler CLS Consumer

• Natural Java-language syntax for accessing
• Properties through property accessor methods
• Delegates permits creation of delegates over
  any Visual J method
• Events through event accessor methods
• Enums
• Value types
• Attaching attributes

10
Consuming .NET Meta Data

• Properties use property accessors
• form.set_Text(Hello)
• form.get_Text()
• Delegates just create the delegate over a
  Visual J method
• myHandler new EventHandler(OnClickOK)
• Events use event accessors
• okButton.add_Click(myHandler)
• okButton.remove_Click(myHandler)

11
Consuming .NET Meta Data Value Types and Enums

• Using value types
• Automatic boxing and unboxing
• DateTime dt new DateTime()
• dt DateTime.Parse(01/01/2002 1200)
• System.Object obj dt // This boxes value type
  dt
• DateTime dt2 (DateTime) obj // This unboxes
  obj
• Using enums
• Casting to underlying primitive type
• int iStyle (int) AnchorStyle.Left
• AnchorStyle style (AnchorSytle) iStyle
• Using bitwise operations
• AnchorStyles style AnchorStyle.Left
  AnchorStyle.Bottom

12
Attaching .NET Attributes

• Attribute suffix is optional
• _at_attribute
• / _at_attribute WebMethodAttribute(true) /
• String GetStockQuote(String symbol)
• _at_attribute.method
• / _at_property /
• / _at_attribute Description(Property Size) /
• / _at_attribute.method Description(Get
  accessor) /
• int get_Size() return 0
• _at_attribute.return
• / _at_attribute.return MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.BST
  R) /
• System.String getString()
• _at_assembly
• / _at_assembly AssemblyVersion(1.) /

13
Using Other .NET Primitive Types

• ubyte
• ubyte bytes new ubyte100
• File.Read(bytes)
• Unsigned types not in Visual J
• System.UInt32 uint (System.UInt32) 100
• Managed pointer type
• System.IntPtr intPtr System.IntPtr.Zero //
  null
• Boxing and unboxing of primitive types
• System.Object obj 10 // Wont work
• // Will work and will box the integer 10 to a
  Sysem.Object.
• System.Object obj (System.Int32)10
• int j (int)(System.Int32) obj // Unbox

14
Code Sample for IntPtr

• import System.Runtime.InteropServices.
•  
• public class A
•       public static void main(String args)
•       byte barray new byte20
•       GCHandle gch GCHandle.Alloc(barray,
  GCHandleType.Pinned)
•       System.IntPtr iptr gch.AddrOfPinnedObject(
  )
•       test(iptr)
•      
•       / _at_attribute DllImport(sample.dll") /
•       static native void test (System.IntPtr
  iptr)

15
Using Delegates

• J class
•  class Consumer
•       public static void main() 
•       CreateDelegate del new CreateDelegate()
•       // Consume the .NET Delegate in J
•       del.myD.Invoke()
•   
•  
• C class
• using System
• public class CreateDelegate 
•  
•    // Declare a delegate for a method that takes
  no params and returns void
•    public delegate void myDelegate()
•  
•    // Define a method to which the delegate can
  point
•    public void myMethod() 
•        Console.WriteLine("Delegate called")

16
Code Sample for Boxing Primitives

• int i 10
• System.Object obj (System.Int32) i
• // Boxes i to an object
• int j (int)(System.Int32) obj
• // Unboxes obj to an integer

17
Compiler CLS Extender

• Supports authoring .NET properties, events, and
  delegates
• No new keywords uses _at_ directives to mark
  members as properties, events, delegates
• Accessor methods follow CLS naming conventions
  (get_, set_, add_, remove_)
• Can be consumed from other languages
• No support for enums or value types
• In Beta 2, use the /extender option

18
Authoring Properties

• // A property Size of type int
• / _at_property /
• public int get_Size()
•  
• / _at_property /
• public void set_Size(int size)
• // An indexed property Item of type
• // System.Object the index type is a string
• / _at_property /
• public System.Object get_Item(System.String
  key)
•  
• / _at_property /
• public void set_Item(System.String key,
  System.Object value)

19
Authoring Events And Delegates

• // Creates an Event called PropertyChanged
• // PropertyChangedEventHandler is the handler,
• // (a delegate)
• / _at_delegate /
• delegate void PropertyChangedEventHandler()
• / _at_event /
• void add_PropertyChanged(PropertyChangedEventHandl
  er eventHandler)
•  
• / _at_event /
• void remove_PropertyChanged(PropertyChangedEventHa
  ndler eventHandler)

20
Object and String in Visual J

• Base objects (object, string, exception)
• Seamless mapping
• All semantics are maintained
• Cross-language Interop automatically maps these
  object types
• java.lang.Object(JLO) can be used instead of
  System.Object to access .NET Frameworks
• java.lang.String(JLS) is exposed as string data
  type in MSIL

21
Using .NET Framework

• Strings
• Auto marshaling of Java String and .NET Strings
• System.String hello Hello
• String helloJava hello
• Calling methods that take by ref parameters
• String str Hello
• callMethodThatAppendsWorld(str) // by ref
  parameter
• Console.WriteLine(str) // prints Hello World
• Getting the System.Type for a class
• class sampleClass Sample.class
• System.Type sampleType Sample.class.ToType()
• // Calling sampleClass.ToType() will be slower

22
Using .NET Framework (2)

• Keywords as identifiers use _at_
• class _at_class // class defined in J
• int i obj._at_synchronized // accessing field
  named synchronized
• Signing assemblies
• / _at_assembly AssemblyKeyFile(key.snk) /
• Declarative security
• / _at_attribute FileIOPermission(SecurityAction.Dem
  and) /
• ReadFile()
• // demands for the permission before allowing
• // the call

23
Binary Converter .Class (Byte-Code) to MSIL
24
Binary Converter (JbImp)

• Converts .class files to MSIL
• Reports unresolved references
• And permits you to automatically find them
• /usestubrefs option
• Creates stub types for unresolved references
• Useful for unused unresolved references
• J/Direct
• Supports archive files - zip/jar/cab format
• Signed assemblies
• Use /keyfile, /keycontainer, /delaysign

25
Class LibrariesJDK Subset

• Visual J Redistributable includes subset of JDK
  1.1.4 class libraries in MSIL
• JNI and RMI are not supported
• Key functional areas are
• Base libraries
• (lang, util, math, io, net, text, ...)
• AWT
• JDBC
• Beans
• Collection APIs (AP subset)
• Set, Map, List, Collection, and so forth

26
Visual J Style Java-COM Interop

• Visual J supports most key Java/COM Interop
  scenarios of Visual J
• Applications using COM components
• _at_com.class, _at_com.interface, _at_com.method, and so
  forth
• Applications hosting Microsoft ActiveX controls
• Exposing components to COM
• Must have _at_com.register

27
Visual J Style Java-COM Interop (2)

• Support for this is layered on .NET Framework COM
  Interop
• In most cases, existing Visual J applications
  using Java/COM will not need any changes to run
• The Upgrade Wizard fully automates all steps of
  the upgrade
• Newly written Visual J applications must
  directly target .NET Framework COM Interop
  semantics and tools

28
WFC

• WFC is supported in Visual J
• Existing Visual J WFC applications
• Hosting of WFC controls
• No source code changes required
• New Visual J applications must target Windows
  Forms instead

29
Integration with Visual Studio .NET

• Full integration in the Visual Studio shell
• Project system
• Editor, Solution Explorer
• Compile/build, execute/debug
• Project wizards
• Language services
• Designers Web Forms, Windows Forms, XML Web
  Services
• IntelliSense, Colorizer
• Debugger
• Java-language exceptions
• Java-language expression evaluator

30
Visual Studio .NET Power

• Well integrated designers for rapid application
  development
• Using HTML, Data, XML, server-side components
• End-to-end application debugging support
• Web applications
• Cross language
• Across processes, machines, and stored procedures
• Customizable and extensible IDE components
• Using macros

31
Visual Studio .NET Power (2)

• Deployment support for packaging and installation
• Deployment projects
• Merge modules, setup, Web setup
• International-ready application development
• Localization projects, localized setup projects
• Resource files with full unicode support

32
Environment Tips and Tricks

• Solution Explorer
• IntelliSense
• Class view
• Object browser
• Outlining
• Toolbox
• Command window
• Displaying miscellaneous files
• Task list

33
Productivity

• Dynamic Help
• Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Integration
• Automating the build process
• Command-line switches
• Build macros
• Batch builds
• Command-line tools
• VJC Visual J command-line compiler
• JBIMP Java byte-code to MSIL converter

34
Debugging

• Cross language
• .NET, Unmanaged, ASP, SQL
• Cross process and machine
• Rich debugger automation
• Windows
• Autos, Locals, Watch, Memory, Call Stack
• Exceptions dialog
• Expand your types automatically
• Vjsee.dat

35
Visual J Redistributable Package

• Installs on .NET Redist
• Complete runtime for deployment of Visual J
  applications
• Compiler
• Class libraries
• Deployment support for packaging

36
.NET Power in Visual J Common Language Runtime

• Version aware assemblies
• Cross language Interop
• Native code Interop (PInvoke)
• COM Interop

37
.NET Power in Visual J Frameworks

• ADO.NET
• XML/relational views, in-memory cache
• ASP.NET
• Authoring controls in Visual J,
• Data binding using ADO.NET and XML
• Multiple client support

38
.NET Power in Visual J Frameworks (2)

• Web Services
• Proxy generation, UDDI integration
• Support for HTTP GET, POST, and SOAP wire
  formats
• Windows Forms
• Performance, GDI, rich platform integration
• Controls can be hosted in Internet Explorer 5.x

39
Native Interop Using PInvoke

• Use .NET PInvoke attributes
• DllImportAttribute, MarshalAsAttribute,
  StructLayoutAttribute, and so forth
• / _at_attribute DllImport("USER32") /static
  native int MessageBox(
• int hwndOwner,
• System.String text,
• System.String title,
• int MyStyle)

40
.NET COM Interop

• Supports native .NET Framework semantics for COM
  Interop
• Newly written Visual J applications must
  directly target .NET Framework COM Interop
  semantics and tools
• Tools TlbImp, AxImp, TlbExp, RegAsm
• Attributes and classes in System.Runtime.InteropSe
  rvices package
• Visual J enables all scenarios that are
  supported by other languages on .NET Framework
• For example
• Using COM or ActiveX controls
• Exposing WinForms components as ActiveX controls

41
Web Control Authoring

• VJSControl.ascx file
• CodebehindVJSControl.ascx.jsl"
  Inherits"WebApplication1.VJSControl"
• Codebehind file
• // VJSControl.ascx.jsl
• public abstract class VJSControl extends
  System.Web.UI.UserControl
• private System.String customername ""
• /_at_property/
• public System.String get_customerName()
• return customername
• /_at_property/
• public void set_customerName(System.String s)
• customername s

42
Web Control Authoring (2)

• Using a Web Control in a Web Forms page
• jsl" AutoEventWireup"false" Inherits"VJSWebApp.W
  ebForm1"
• Src"VJSControl.ascx"
• ...
• customerName"Thomas" runat"server"

43
Data Binding in Web Applications

• jsl" AutoEventWireup"false" Inherits"WebApplicat
  ion1.WebForm1"
• ...
• DataSource'"get_Tables().get_Item(Customers).
• get_DefaultView()") '

44
Web Service Proxy Generation

• e1"
• Package VJSWS1
• ...
• public class Service1 extends System.Web.Services.
  WebService
• / _at_attribute WebMethod() /
• public int AddOne(int x)
• return x1

45
Proxy Generation

• Command line for proxy generation
• wsdl.exe /l"Microsoft.VJSharp.VJSharpCodeProvider
  , VJSharpCodeProvider, Version7.0.3300.0,
  Cultureneutral, PublicKeyTokenb03f5f7f11d50a3a"
  http//localhost/VJSWS1/Service1.asmx
• Generated File
• // Service1.jsl
• public class Service1 extends System.Web.Services.
  Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol
• ...
• / _at_attribute System.Web.Services.Protocols.Soap
  DocumentMethodAttribute(...)/
• public int AddOne(int x)
• System.Object results
  this.Invoke(("AddOne").ToString (), new
  System.Object (System.Int32)x)
• return ((int)(System.Int32)(results0))
• ...

46
Upgrading from Visual J Visual J to Visual J

• Upgrading is as simple as pressing F5 in most
  cases
• Upgrade Wizard in IDE
• Opens Visual J solutions and projects
• Automatically detects missing references
• Class files and locates them if present
• COM references runs Tlbimp and adds managed
  wrapper
• Upgrade Report lists issues with prescriptive
  links
• JBIMP to convert class files to MSIL

47
J/Direct

• Visual J compiler fully supports J/Direct
• _at_dll.import, _at_dll.struct, _at_dll.structmap
• Callbacks
• All existing Visual J applications using
  J/Direct can be compiled and run without change
• Binary Converter (JbImp) supports converting
  classes that use J/Direct
• The com.ms.dll and com.ms.win32 packages used
  with J/Direct are fully supported

48
Upgrading Visual J Projects Using Java/COM
Calling COM from Java

• Two simple steps
• Generate managed wrappers for the type library of
  the COM component using TlbImp tool
• TlbImp COMComponent.tlb
• Compile the Visual J application together with
  the JActiveX wrappers, referencing the managed
  wrapper generated by TlbImp
• vjc
  /referencemanagedWrappers
• Full debugging support

49
Upgrading Visual J ProjectsUsing Java/COM
Calling Java from COM

• As simple as recompiling the Visual J component
  and registering it!!
• For components implementing JActiveX templates
  (/c2j option)
• Generate managed wrappers for the type library of
  the COM component using the TlbImp tool
• TlbImp COMComponent.tlb
• Compile the VJ component while referencing the
  managed wrapper generated by Tlbimp
• vjc /referenceManagedWrappers
• Register the component using the RegAsm tool
• COM clients are transparent to the fact that the
  Visual J component is now hosted in the common
  language runtime

50
Unsupported Visual J Java/COM Features

• Custom marshaling
• Monikers
• Exposing components to COM as ActiveX controls
• Exposing components to COM that do not have the
  _at_com.register attribute
• Conversion of class files that use Java/COM

51
Upgrading WFC Applications

• Vjswfc.dll must be added as an explicit reference
  during command-line compilation
• vjc /rvjswfc.dll Form1.java
• tag format for WFC HTML controls
  modified
• 5F7F8BDCF"
• height20 width30 ... VIEWASTEXT
• 
  
• User HTML control class has to be compiled into a
  managed assembly
• No designer support in Visual J IDE for WFC
  projects

52
Other Upgrade Issues

• If you use RMI
• You may use Web Services
• If you use JNI
• Use P/Invoke or J/Direct
• If you use com.ms. that is unsupported (such as
  mtx, xml)
• Use the corresponding .NET Frameworks (equivalent
  or better)

53
Availability

• Beta 1 shipped on October 10, 2001
• Beta 2 shipped on March 19, 2002
• Add-on to Visual Studio .NET RTM/SP1
• Available for download from MSDN
• http//msdn.microsoft.com/visualj/jsharp/beta.asp
• Visual J .NET Redist only version of Beta 2 also
  available for download
• Localized versions
• Final product availability
• Mid-2002
• Coupon in Visual Studio .NET boxes

54
Additional Resources

• Community sites
• http//www.gotdotnet.com/team/java
• Visual J .NET newsgroup
• microsoft.public.dotnet.vjsharp

55

• Thank you for joining us for todays Microsoft
  Support
• WebCast.
• For information about all upcoming Support
  WebCasts
• and access to the archived content (streaming
  media
• files, PowerPoint slides, and transcripts),
  please visit
• http//support.microsoft.com/webcasts/
• We sincerely appreciate your feedback. Please
  send any
• comments or suggestions regarding the Support
• WebCasts to supweb_at_microsoft.com.